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Hornets Will Be Forced To Move West?

Some NBA executives believe that the Hornets may not be able to avoid dealing away David West before the February 18 trade deadline. Trading West would ensure that the Hornets stay under this season's luxury tax threshold.

The Hornets would likely prefer to move Emeka Okafor, Peja Stojakovic, James Posey, Mo Peterson, Darius Songaila or Julian Wright. But finding a taker for any of these other players will be more difficult than doing so for West.

Re: Hornets Will Be Forced To Move West?

What do you guys think about Emeka Okafer. I don't know if we could get West or not. But would Okafer be an option his contract is pretty big and long but would he be a good fit at PF next to Hibbert. How is his D. We could Package TJ and Diener for him. This would put thim under the Luxury Tax for This Year.

If we made a move for Okafer would we just be taking on a bad contract or would the guy live up to it

Re: Hornets Will Be Forced To Move West?

Maybe I just need to watch him more to feel differently, but I've always liked Okafor and I think he could be a nice fit here because he can easily be a PF next to Roy, but he can also hold his own as a center with Tyler/Josh on the floor.

Nothing spectacular about the guy, but he's big, strong, smart, and a two-way player (if limited).

The price tag might be high, but I'd feel a hell of a lot better overpaying for what he brings as opposed to what Murphy brings.

Re: Hornets Will Be Forced To Move West?

What do you guys think about Emeka Okafer. I don't know if we could get West or not. But would Okafer be an option his contract is pretty big and long but would he be a good fit at PF next to Hibbert. How is his D. We could Package TJ and Diener for him. This would put thim under the Luxury Tax for This Year.

If we made a move for Okafer would we just be taking on a bad contract or would the guy live up to it

Okafor will average a double double. He was fantastic D in college, I don't know if that's still the case. He's a smart player that probably would be good next to Hibbert.

However, he's kind of injury prone, and the contract is disgusting, if I recall. Still, if taking on his contract would still allow Indiana to stay under the cap for the seasons they have him, he wouldn't be a bad option.

I know there is a lot of talk about "the big free agent" Indiana can get in 2011. But truthfully, I don't know if Indiana could woo a free agent better than him.

edit: Okay, looks like he's around 10 Million for 5 years. That's actually not too awful when you consider what we are paying TJ and Murphy Dun..and Foster.

You could try to package TJ and Diener for Okafor, the numbers work. But I don't know why New Orleans would take that, other than because Diener's expiring, and..well..I guess because TJ only has a year left on his salary and Chris Paul does need a better backup..maybe a change of scenery... TJ Ford and Luther Head also works, as well as TJ and Solo. And might give New Orleans a little more insentive, seeing as Luther has been playing well. The fact that he could play Center also helps seeing as obviously we'd want Hans to still get time, and JOB would want Murphy too.

Re: Hornets Will Be Forced To Move West?

If I were the Hornets, moving West for some talent would be one of my priorities. I don't trust David West anymore, he has lost his focus on non-scoring contributions (tunnel vision on jacking up shots; doesn't bother to defend and rebound anymore) and I frankly believe his best days are behind him. He's under a relatively cost-controled contact and keeps the reputation, so the Hornets should be able to get back some talent for him.

Then they should just move their contracts that go beyond 2011 for smaller ones (including Emeka's) and rebuild in that Summer around Paul. Okafor is overpaid, I think, but he'd indeed make sense next to Hibbert/Hansbrough.

Re: Hornets Will Be Forced To Move West?

If I were the Hornets, moving West for some talent would be one of my priorities. I don't trust David West anymore, he has lost his focus on non-scoring contributions (tunnel vision on jacking up shots; doesn't bother to defend and rebound anymore) and I frankly believe his best days are behind him. He's under a relatively cost-controled contact and keeps the reputation, so the Hornets should be able to get back some talent for him.

Then they should just move their contracts that go beyond 2011 for smaller ones (including Emeka's) and rebuild in that Summer around Paul. Okafor is overpaid, I think, but he'd indeed make sense next to Hibbert/Hansbrough.

Okafor is too injury prone to commit so much $$$ to. I'd be concerned about that for a Player with a 5 year contract that is owed $60+ mil.

Re: Hornets Will Be Forced To Move West?

I know there is a lot of talk about "the big free agent" Indiana can get in 2011. But truthfully, I don't know if Indiana could woo a free agent better than him.

There are other moves that can be done with Capspace. Directly signing FAs isn't the only way to improve the Team. Look at what teams like the Blazers, Clippers and Thunder have done with having Capspace. They had the financial flexiblity to get involved in moves that improved their team while building trade assets.